Lesson 518: Darkness & Light

Good evening, Readers.
A shadow of darkness has crossed Eloise this week.



Far too much devastating news involving children.

With abysmal news coming out of California about 13 siblings

Link to ABC report on the story CLICK HERE



and the horrific crimes of the gymnastics team doctor,

Link to NBC News story CLICK HERE



I've spent a significant part of my week feeling sickened.
I didn't even feel like taking pictures that much.
Perhaps when you are consumed with so much darkness
it's difficult to see through it into the beauty of the light.

I spent most of last weekend chipping away at the 

Pennsylvania Mandated Reporter Child Abuse class.

Me and 153 other of my teacher colleagues 

are due for an update on our training hours,

as are the rest of our school personnel.

I spent over 3 hours reading and learning about child abuse

and the law.

Every slide contained very important information.

Childline Number CLICK HERE

Anyone coming into regular contact with a child

is considered a Mandated Reporter,

and there are strict procedures we must follow in reporting

suspected abuse. 

Anyone else falls into the Permissive Reporter category.

The above link will give you the number you are to call

if you suspect child abuse.

If there is anything I can summarize for you

after more than 3 hours of continuous instruction 

is this:

Child Abuse is not someone else's problem--

it's ALL of our problem.

Do not look the other way if you suspect abuse or neglect.

All it takes is one phone call to the professionals 

who will handle the case from there.

The difference in saving someone's life just may be you.

Look at this creative pin very closely.

For those of you reading this blog
who may have yourself suffered abuse,
take care of yourself--right now.

Find support if you haven't yet,

and know that true help is really available to you.

Take it from Elie Wiesel,
who also lived in a world of darkness and hate



and emerged the victor on the other side.

As this all was happening this week,
the Olympic torch moved along one of the most
treacherous and feared borders of the world--
the DMZ separating the Koreas.

I am looking very forward to the Olympic Games,

which I always see as a two-week bright light

in a cold dark world.

Do your part, Readers.

Stay on guard and act when you need to.

Prayers sent tonight for all of the victims of abuse.

Join me in saying this simple prayer:

Lord, bless them.

Amen.

Eloise